Norwegian Encore

Norwegian pioneered go-karts at sea, and Danny thinks the line perfected them on Encore. The Encore Speedway runs across the top of the ship, with loops and backtracks that climb up and down over several decks. You can drive a single kart or a double, which is great with little ones. Every lap is timed, and the fastest lap wins. It costs extra, per ride or with a package, and a viewing area up top lets friends cheer you on.

The main pool deck has two large pools, one geared to families and one for adults, with loungers all around, bars on both sides and a big LED screen for games and movies. One level up are the walking track, hot tubs and two complimentary slides: a tube slide for one or two riders and the Ocean Loops drop slide, which swings out over the side of the ship. Little ones get their own Kids’ Aqua Park. Vibe Beach Club is an extra-cost, adults-only retreat.

The Haven is Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship for suite guests. A concierge handles show and dining reservations and escorts guests on and off the ship. Danny calls the Haven Lounge his bit of Cheers, where the bartenders know your name. The Haven Courtyard has a pool, hot tub and daybeds under a retractable glass roof, and the Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, indoors or out. Up top are the Horizon Lounge, with complimentary snacks and espresso, and the Haven Sun Deck.

Galaxy Pavilion is a high-tech virtual reality center, an idea that debuted on Norwegian Joy. It’s packed with VR rides, including a Jurassic-style adventure, a finger coaster, car simulators, a full Formula 1 racer, hang gliders, The Descent and a VR maze. The dark ride is billed as seven-dimensional, and you can try to beat the Robo goalie. Two VR escape rooms give your group 45 minutes to solve the puzzle. It costs extra, pay as you play or with a package.

Danny calls the Mandara Spa one of the best in the industry. There’s a barber shop, a full beauty salon, IV therapy, and manicure and pedicure stations, plus massages, facials, wraps and a quartz bed treatment. The Thermal Suite is the big draw for spa lovers, with heated stone loungers facing the sea, a hydrotherapy pool, a steam room, a salt room, a snow room, a Finnish sauna and a sanarium. Thermal Suite access is a separate day or cruise-long pass.

Encore was built with Alaska in mind, and the Observation Lounge shows it. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the front of the ship, with chaise loungers and chairs with ottomans facing forward. There’s a bar and a coffee bar, live piano music from late afternoon into the evening, and complimentary light bites from a continental breakfast through dinner. In the 2024 dry dock, part of the lounge became new balcony staterooms, but the forward-facing section remains.

The Waterfront, an idea that debuted on Norwegian Breakaway, wraps Deck 8 with outdoor bars, lounges and restaurant seating, with heaters for Alaska. Along it you’ll find the Sugarcane Mojito Bar with live music every evening, the Cavern Club and its Beatles tribute band, Maltings Whiskey Bar next to the Humidor, The Cellars wine bar, Food Republic, Onda by Scarpetta for handmade pasta, and an expanded Cagney’s Steakhouse that now stretches across the aft.

The Encore Theater is a large venue with LED screens on either side of the stage and a strong sound system. The headline show is The Choir of Man, a sing-along night of songs you know, sung by incredible voices. The theater also hosts a Beatles show and guest entertainers. After dark, the Social Comedy & Night Club runs family-friendly and adults-only comedy before turning into a nightclub, and the casino has a smoke-free area.